Method of preparing dehydrated mixtures.



To all whom z't may concern i 'nnwan eoonnronacnnsou, or-srmronn rowusmr, oura'nro, cannon.

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No Drawing.

Be it known that I, EDWARD Goomucn Aormson, a citizen of the United States, residing at Stamford township, Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of Preparing Dehydrated Mixtures, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is the-provision of a method of transferring deflocculated bodies, precipitates, or bodies in a stateof extremely fine subdivision, from an aqueous to a non-aqueous medium, the method being specifically applicable to the transference of defiocculated graphite from an aqueous paste or mixture to oil, in such man'- ner as to produce therefrom an oil paste, free or substantially free from water, and freely miscible with and capable of suspension in oil.

In my prior'Patent No. 911,358, granted February 2, 1909, I have claimed the method of preparing non-aqueous mixtures, which consists in deflocculating an amorphous body in presence of water, and then replacin the-water by a non-aqueous medium: in sald patent I have also claimed the product thereby prepared. One specific method of operat on described in the aforesaid patent consists in deflocculating' graphite or other amorphous body in presence of an aqueous solution or infusion of tannin or equivalent deflocculating agent, preparing a paste con taining the deflocculated body and water, and then working, macerating or grinding this paste with oil until the water is displaced. The product produced by this method is freely miscible with oil and cathe water, and its agitation therein under such temperature conditions as to effect a' pable of suspension therein.

The present invention relates to a specific method) of eifectingthe above transference, without the necessity of grinding the water-paste containing the defiocculated material during the step of transferring the deflocculated body into oil' or other nonaqueous medium. This method involves as its essential features the introduction of the water-paste or mixture containing the deflocculated body into a body of the medium, as oil, with which it is desired to replace gradual and substantially complete expulsion of the water from the oil by evaporation.

I have foundthat it is practicable to ex- Patented. June 25, 1912.

occulated graphite and water, by stirring l the water from a paste containing de' the-paste into a bath of oil or other nonaquedus medium having a relatively low "vapor'tension, and while distributing and suspending the graphite in the oil by suitably agitating the mixture, maintaining such temperature conditions that the water will escape as vapor from the exposed surgface of the oil. This temperature need not exceed the 'boilin point of water and may be much below t is point. It is found in practice that graphite which has been de- ;fl0cculated with taihnic acid will again flocculate if the aqueous paste be too strongly heated inthe oil, more particularly during the earlier stages of the operation while considerable proportions of water are yet presout. It is regarded as preferable therefore, under these or similar circumstances, to maintain the temperature at a comparatively low point, as 85 (3., until most of the water has been expelled or evaporated, after which the temperature may be raised somewhat to complete the dehydration. of the mass. It will be understood that the elimination of-the water may be hastened by the provision of means for extending the surface from which the evaporation takes place, by reducing the pressure upon the surface, or otherwise, as will be 'understood by those skilled in the art.

In case the deflocculated graphite is to be transferred to a mineral 011 for use as a lubricant, the water-paste may be treated at once with a proper quantit of such oil, the proportion of oil being su cient to form a mobile mixture or cream as distinguished from a paste: from 5 to 10% of graphite in .the oil will yield a mixture or sus ension of suitable consistence. The oil shou d be substantially neutral, as acid oils tend to flocculate the graphite if added to the waterpaste. Or the water of the paste may be displaced by vegetable oils or other media 0.35% of the weight of the oil being quite sufiicient for most purposes. For the prepa ration of the lubricant it. is merely necessary therefore to properly dilute, with a suitable oil, the dehydrated mass obtained as above described. a

Any suitable apparatus may be employed in the practice of the method, it being essential merely that the mixtureshould'be efi'ectively stirred while' presenting free surfaces for the evaporation of water, and that means should be provided for controlling the temperature conditions. In practice I have placed the mixture of moist deflocculated graphite with oil in an open metallic vessel provided with an agitator adapted to stir the contents thoroughly and tomaintain the solid material 1n suspension: this vessel is immersed in a bath of oil or other liquid 'the' temperature of which can be accurately regulated, as by the provision in the oil bath of an electrical resistor in circuit with a suitable rheostat. The duration of the operation will vary in accordance with the quantity of water to be evaporated and the temdeflocculated graphite with oil,- agitating the mixture, and evaporating the water therefrom. v 2. The method of preparing dehydrated mixtures containing deflocculated graphite and oil, which consists in suspending moist of preparing dehydrated deflocculated grap hite in oil, agitating the mixture, and evaporating the water therefrom.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature v 'in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD eoomncn Manson.

Witnesses:-

WM. AOIIESON SMITH,

EBEN C. SPEIDEN. 

